Kai Schmidt is driven to be the best, and it is not only in the field events that he excels at Abilene Christian.

Schmidt had never taken a step on American soil until he started classes at ACU in the fall of 2014. His English was admittedly spotty at best.

Fast forward 3½ years. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound redshirt junior from Germany has already earned his degree in accounting and financial management. He will make the Southland Commissioners Honor Roll for the third straight year, and he will be back at ACU next school year pursuing his master's degree in accounting.

“That says a lot about him as a person,” Wildcat associate head coach Jerrod Cook said. “He is very driven to be successful and challenge himself. He is extremely motivated and disciplined in everything he does. He is a great example for our younger athletes.”

Schmidt threw a personal-best 60 feet, 3¾ inches in the shot put and 188-1 in the discus to win his specialty events at the Southland Conference Championships and qualified for the NCAA West Regional Championships that are Thursday through Saturday in Sacramento, California. His third-place throw of 205-5 in the javelin was just short of qualifying (207-0) for the regional meet as well. And yet the affable Schmidt took it in stride.

“Everything worked out perfectly fine,” he said. “I can concentrate on what I am strongest in.”

Schmidt speaks clearly with just the trace of an accent. It is far from when he started at ACU.

“My English was very rough,” Schmidt said. “I didn’t speak much at home. It was difficult getting comfortable with the environment. The biggest factor was that I would be unable to run around with others from my country so I had to learn.”

It got Schmidt out of his comfort zone, which is exactly what he wanted. It wasn’t just his English that needed improvement. He was hardly a finished product in field events.

“I sent out my profile to different schools,” Schmidt said. “I considered my options. The connection with Coach Cook was one thing, and my dad said it was probably the best place for me. It was a great decision. Getting us back to the tradition of the past was definitely a factor (in coming to ACU). I’ve improved my techniques and have improved my GPA each year.”

He was also intrigued to be part of the first group competing as Division I athletes.

“It was interesting to be part of the transition,” Schmidt said. “There were more and more talented athletes coming in. It was fun to watch.”

It was fun to be part of a second-place team at the conference meet. Schmidt, the Southland's high-point man, admitted he didn’t see it coming.

“It was real exciting,” he said. “It was unexpected. I thought maybe we could get fourth or fifth again.”

Schmidt knows he’s going to have to up his game to earn a spot in the NCAA Division I meet in June. Cook thinks his prodigy will need to reach 61 feet in the shot put and 184 in the discus to assure himself a spot.

“That’s the goal,” Schmidt said of earning a trip to nationals. “I’ll try to make good enough throws so I can get in the highest-seeding group I can.”

The highly motivated young man who arrived at ACU with rough edges has proved himself at every turn. And he still motivated to improve.

“He’s definitely a lot better than when he got here,” Cook said. “He had a tremendous growth period. He wants to be great and it’s not just in track but academics.”